Broadway will dim lights for Joan Rivers following petition

Broadway is to dim its lights in honour of Joan Rivers after fans convinced the Broadway League to pay tribute to the late comedian after all.

Originally the Broadway League decided not to grant River a tribute blackout because, the League’s executive director Charlotte St Martin explained: “When you say Joan Rivers, you don’t think comedy, television and Broadway. You think comedy and television. It’s certainly nothing against her.” Read more here.

However, after a petition was set up by the late star’s fans, the Broadway League has bowed to public pressure and decided to grant Rivers a tribute blackout after all. The lights will be dimmed in her honour tonight (September 9) at 6.45pm local time.

St Martin explained in a statement:

“Joan Rivers loved Broadway and we loved her. Due to the outpouring of love and respect for Joan Rivers from our community and from her friends and fans worldwide, the marquees of Broadway theatres in New York will be dimmed in her memory tonight, at exactly 6:45pm for one minute.”

Rivers was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play in 1994 for her performance in Sally Marr…and Her Escorts, a play she co-wrote, at Broadway’s Helen Hayes Theatre.

She was laid to rest in New York City on Sunday (September 7) at a funeral attended by stars including Hugh Jackman, Whoopi Goldberg, Kelly Osbourne, Kathy Griffin and Sarah Jessica Parker.

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